Novikov and Rautenbach raring to go

22 June 2009

Citroen Junior Team duo Evgeny Novikov and Conrad Rautenbach can't wait for Rally Poland this week, the eighth round in the 2009 World Rally Championship.

Novikov and Rautenbach both went pretty well earlier this month in Greece, with the latter finishing fifth, while the former was in P4 and looking strong, until transmission problems on the final day cost him more than 15 minutes and dropped him to 16th.

Novikov still had a lot to be happy about though, as he posted his first WRC stage win on the Friday - and then took an additional three on day two.

The 18-year-old, whose potential is becoming increasingly clear, is now hoping once more to show off his talent.

"Rally Poland is a new event for everyone and a great opportunity for us to show our speed," commented the Russian, who scored his first WRC points in Sardinia. "I can't wait to get to the start so that we can continue making progress."

Rautenbach meanwhile is also very enthusiastic and he too will be out to score, something he has managed three times already this year.

"I don't know Poland at all and I know the rally even less," added the Zimbabwean. "From what I have understood, the roads there are going to be quick.

"If the route looks anything like Finland then I'll be very happy, because I love those types of roads.

"We learnt a lot in Greece and I really can't wait to get stuck back into the action again this week!"

For the record, as was the case in Sardinia and Greece, Rautenbach and Novikov have both been nominated to score manufacturer points in Mikolajki, while Sebastien Ogier will drive the 'third' Citroen Junior Team car.